I have never had a tenant like this before. This woman complains ALL the time! She's driving me nuts!

The FIRST WEEK of tenancy I offered her rent and deposit back so she could move some where else...because there's no pleasing this woman. She behaved for a week now she's writing emails on a weekly bases.

Some of her complains.

1. We need to re-caulk around the faucets because we missed a spot and it will leak and cause great damage.

2. She's not sure how to hook up her washing machine.

3. Gas is off and we need to immediately have it turned back on. (Gas Department was working on lines in the neighborhood and turned off the gas off because of a leak)

4. Crack in window

5. hole in the closet that allows air to escape and let bugs in (tenant before her put nails to hang clothes on and pulled out the nails...4 nail holes)

The emails and texts go on and on.

Dee,

Yes, some people need more attention than others. But don't take it personally. Some of these items are legit.

Some people just want to be heard. Putting them off can increase the number of emails.

And do not respond immediately to each email. That just encourages more emails.

Talk with her and you make a list, set a date a few days out and fix that list.

1. We need to re-caulk around the faucets because we missed a spot and it will leak and cause great damage.

- So caulk it. (if properly installed with a rubber plate no caulk is needed)

2. She's not sure how to hook up her washing machine.

- a little help over the phone is no biggie.

3. Gas is off and we need to immediately have it turned back on. (Gas Department was working on lines in the neighborhood and turned off the gas off because of a leak)

- legit concern

4. Crack in window

- legit, shoulda been fixed at turnover. Fix it.

5. hole in the closet that allows air to escape and let bugs in (tenant before her put nails to hang clothes on and pulled out the nails...4 nail holes)

- OK, a little extreme but about 30 seconds to repair. A little painter's putty and you're a hero. Some people have phobias about bugs and will move out.

Future: add her items to a list and plan to go over just once a month.

"Mary, I cannot send the guys over every day for a single item. We'll make a list of non-essential repairs as they come up then come over in a few weeks."

Hang in there and count your blessings of a paying resident!

Nuisance repairs requests and wish list items get sent in writing to the post office. (Cuts down on their expectancy for an immediate response from you)

Emergencies are handled immediately.

Disclaimer: sometimes I do get random texts from tenants about this and that needing attention, which is totally fine. It's not abused though, because I don't let them abuse it.

I don't know how old the tenant is but I have some neighbors who are up in age. No matter what anyone does for them they complain about it. They called me and ask if I knew anyone who could repair their ice maker. Gave them the number of the appliance man I use. Next thing I heard was "he was too high, I could have put in a new ice maker for what he charged me." The module was not working. Ask them why they didn't put in a new ice maker? "Didn't know what was wrong with it."

All calls go to voice mail. All non-emergency repair requests must be in writing mailed to PO Box, or fill out the Maintenance Request on our website. Repairs are batched together and are handled once per month.

Non-emergency communication is returned at my convenience. Quick responses put them in the driver's seat. As long as you return communication the same business day or the morning the day after, you are above 90% of most LLs in terms of customer service.

Since adopting these policies, my stress level went down by 90%. Try it.

New tenants get to find the little things we missed at turnover. Not sure which is worse, the tenant that is picky and knows that a small leak could lead to rot and mold, or the tenant that is clueless that the leak is leading to rot and mold. I like the tenant to let me know of things they find. I tell them to text (not an emergency) and I reassure them, talk them through the issue or get it fixed.

Dee,

Another thought...

At turnover we use a 200 point inspection form before the guys are paid. I tell them to "Make it perfect so we don't get ANY calls!".

An extra hour or two to fix tiny issues saves us future service calls, AND the home is easier to turn at the next turnover.

...An extra hour or two to fix tiny issues saves us future service calls, AND the home is easier to turn at the next turnover...

I require all repair requests to be in writing. She can e-mail, text, send a letter or include a note with the monthly rental check.

I found that when you request everything in writing, the tenant will only list the important stuff, not every little things.

Then when the major stuff is done, you can send a handyman over to take care of the little things like once a month for a few hours.